Events Include Art Exhibit, Lecture, In Their Shoes Exhibit and Panel Discussion

Marisa Rincón

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, County College of Morris will host a series of events on campus in September.

The first event is an art exhibition, titled “Marisa Rincón: An Impression of Life,” which currently features the artwork of Marisa Rincón, a 2007 CCM Fine Arts graduate, who died by suicide this past February.

A reception, cosponsored by the Art and Design and Counseling and Student Success departments, will be held 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., on Tuesday, September 12. The CCM Art and Design Gallery is located in the Sherman H. Masten Learning Resource Center on CCM’s Randolph campus, 214 Center Grove Road. For gallery hours, visit http://tinyurl.com/z7xgj2v/.

The second event, “Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt,” will feature a lecture by Kevin Hines, who survived a suicide attempt. This event, cosponsored by CCM’s Office of Counseling Services and Student Success, The Legacy Project and the Office of Special Events, will be held Tuesday, September 19, at 12:30 p.m., in the Davidson Rooms, located in the Student Community Center.

Marisa Rincón’s “Green Eyes”

Hines is a mental health advocate, award-winning global speaker, bestselling author and documentary filmmaker who reaches audiences with his story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 19, he attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only 34 to survive a fall from that bridge, and the only one to regain full physical mobility.

The fall broke his body, but not his spirit. Today, Hines dedicates his life to saving lives by spreading the message of hope. Hines’ story is a remarkable testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to love life.

At CCM, Hines will give a lecture, answer questions and sign books. CCM and community organizations focused on the important issue of suicide awareness will have informational tables. For more information on this event, email [email protected] or call 973-328-5140 or 973-328-5469.

On Wednesday, September 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., CCM, in collaboration with Attitudes in Reverse, an organization that provides mental health education to prevent suicide, will host an “In Their Shoes” exhibit outside the Student Community Center. The exhibit will consist of 269 pairs of shoes to represent the New Jersey youth, ages 10 through 24, who lost all hope and ended their lives in the years between 2013 and 2015. The exhibit helps to increase understanding, empathy and kindness towards those who might be struggling in silence, while encouraging them to seek help. For more information, visit https://attitudesinreverse.org/programs/in-their-shoes/.

Mental health advocate and award-winning global speaker, Kevin Hines

On Wednesday, September 20, at 12:30 p.m., in CCM’s Learning Resource Center, Room 121, the college will host a panel discussion on “Losing Loved Ones to Suicide,” featuring Marisa Rincon’s mother, Dee Rincon, and Tricia Baker from Attitudes in Reverse, who will discuss their experiences surrounding losing a child to suicide.